Sunday, July 19, 2009

Taurus PT 709 Slim 9mm

I know that I had promised to write about the H&K P30 and the CZ-P07 next and I am excited to do so, however this little pistol became available to me yesterday and, as I have not read that much about the PT 709 in any other magazines, I wanted to get this out as soon as possible.

The Taurus PT 709 Slim 9mm is the Taurus solution to the problem of finding a pistol you can have with you just about all the time. The pistol is 6.2 inches in length, sports a 3.20 inch long barrel, and weighs a mere 19 ounces. You can see in the photo below that the PT 709 is smaller than the Glock 36, one of my other favorite compact carry pistols.

The 709 measures .92 inches wide at the grips and she is .97 inches across the slide. You can see in this photo how the width of the 709 (center) compares to the Glock 36 (left) and CZ model 82 (right).

The capacity is 7 + 1 rounds of 9mm although a 9 round magazine is supposed to be available.

Upon first examining the PT709 you'll note that it owes a lot to Glock. It is a striker-fired mechanism and takes down just like a Glock (1. Clear the pistol, 2. remove the magazine, 3. check to make sure the chamber is empty once more, 4. pull the trigger, 5. move the slide about 1/10th of an inch to the rear, 6. depress the dual sided takedown latches, 7. push the slide forward, off the frame, 8. lift the guide rod and spring up and out, and 9. lift out the barrel). After you remove the slide from the frame the guide rod, recoil spring, and rails all look very Glock-like.

Another Glock-ish feature is the trigger safety level in the center of the trigger just like the Glock trigger. I guess while we are on the subject of the trigger we should address the action and trigger pull. Unlike the Glock the Taurus is a Single Action pistol with Taurus' unique Double Action Second Strike capability. Allow me to explain what that means. As opposed to Glock, the rear-ward motion of the slide, either through recoil or racking the slide to load the first round, completely cocks the striker. Therefore pulling the trigger does not cock he striker; it's only function is to release the striker and fire the pistol, thus making it a single action trigger mechanism. Accordingly to its single action there is a small, but quite usable safety mounted on the frame right where it should be.

Now, if a round fails to fire (in which there is no recoil to cycle the slide and recock the striker) the trigger mechanism can then be fired in double action mode whereby pulling the trigger first cocks and sets the striker, and then releases it. This gives you a second chance for the firing pin to strike the primer and fire the round.

The single action trigger pull measured 6.12 pounds on my Lyman digital scale however it felt much lighter. The double action pull averaged 7.5 pounds. The single action trigger pull takes a little getting used to but you can master it quickly. When you pull the trigger it moves with almost no resistance to within a millimeter or so of the rear of the trigger area where the trigger then engages the sear and the 6.12 pounds of pressure is needed to fire the pistol. Because the trigger moves so far rearward it caused most people who handled the pistol (including me) to think that they had pulled the trigger and nothing happened. They (and I) did not realize that when the trigger stopped moving freely it was set to fire. At that point, once I realized what was going on, you just apply your 6.12 pounds of pressure and the trigger breaks very crisply with almost no over travel. Once fired the trigger has a very short reset allowing for fast follow-up shots. You will see a target below where I was able to fire 8 rounds in 1.5 seconds due to the quick reset. The trigger guard is undercut to allow you to get a higher hold on the grips which usually decreases felt recoil and increase practical accuracy however the undercut is so shallow and narrow that the effort seems more cosmetic than utilitarian. Perhaps some unfortunate celebrity with an advanced eating disorder can wrangle their middle finger into the undercut area but my stout chocolate-chip cookie fed finger can't take advantage of this feature.

The 3 dot sights on the 709 are compact, but large enough to see. On the minus side of the equation they are not night sites; a real plus is that they are adjustable for both windage and elevation allowing you really zero it in. You just don't normally find adjustable sights on a small, value priced handgun. Taurus has also put a dimple on the both sides of the slide to help you index your finge onto a safe position on the slide, out of the trigger guard. I don't know how much this will actually contribute to safe pistol handling but I like it and it sure doesn't hurt anything.

On a business trip recently I had with me a copy of a magazine devoted exlusively to handguns. I found it interesing that about half the articles did not show any photos of the targets nor were there any corresponding tables detailing the ammo, velocity, or group size. Instead there was usually some fairly vague phrase about "acceptable combat (or defensive) accuracy". My perception is that the writer found the accuracy to be fairly lame but does not want to burn any bridges with the manufacturer. Here at Average Joe's Handgun Reviews you get to see the targets.

Time for the Targets:

Here are two shot at 21 feet

In this target the torso shots were made at 50 feet and the head shots at 30 feet. This is pretty darn good practical accuracy out of this small pistol.

This target was set out at a mere 15 feet. The head shots were fired as soon as the target was acquired. The torso was shot as fast as I could which, as mentioned about, was 8 rounds in 1.5 seconds.

In firing this pistol I found the recoil to be fairly nominal, much less than expected. I also found that the recoil did not cause the this grips to move around in my hand. The ridges and patterns molded into the grips do their job well.

I tried carrying the 709 in several inside the waistband holsters that I had on hand. The first was this Bianci. I cannot remember the model name but the marketing people had given it a catchy moniker like "Stow and Go", "Run and Gun", etc.

It fit like a glove however it did not carry that well. The clip is set a little too low which left too much of the frame above the waist line. Once the belt was cinched up it pulled the barrel in close but levered the grip away from my body.

It was just a little big in my DeSantis "Tuck This" which was made for a Glock 19.

Finally this inexpensive Uncle Mike's holster worked perfectly.

On one of the gun forums that I prowl there was a recent threadabout the PT 709. One person started the thread asking what people knew about this new pistol. Three or four people were participating and all had come to the conclusion that they would pass on the 709. I find this interesting in that none of them had fired it, none of them had held it, none of them had even seen one. In fact they had a hard time locating a photo and finally copied one off of an online report about the SHOT show. I guess they did not think to look for a photo on the Taurus website. Anyway, it is their loss; at $379.00 (at my local gunshop) I consider this to be a "Best Buy".

110 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Nice review. I have participated in a type of thread you mentioned and I stated that I would purchase the gun and fully expect to shortly. I appreciate your review especially in regards to recoil and gun movement in hand. I have a little LCP and it's frankly a bear for me to shoot. The trigger digs into my finger, the gun moves around after firing; I could go on and on. I loved the trigger on the 709. Lots of play to act as a safety, but zero resistance up to the point of firing. The only thing I haven't done is put a bullet through one of these nice pistols. Again, nice review.

Great review. This piece has dimensions very close to Kel Tec's P11. I just bought a P11 and am very impressed with it. Have retired my LCP and have replaced it with the P11. Bigger bang, still a small package.

Now you've got me wanting one, Joe. I've owned a Taurus PT-92 since 1985, and have been quite pleased with it. I did send it back once after twenty years, and Taurus honored its lifetime warranty. Excellent review and excellent blog, by the way.

Gentlemen:I own the gun and the uncle mike's holster. Mine is a size 16 and fits like a glove!!I gun feels good in the hand and I love the trigger considering the price of this auto, its a true bargain.

Glad I found your blog! I started looking for a new conceal carry pistol and had narrowed it down to the PT-709 and the Kel-Tec P11. After reading your review and owning at least five Tauras handguns (without any problems) I think I've found my next carry gun! Thanks!

Based upon a countertop inspection I also think the ergos, trigger, and package are good on the gun although I have not shot it. I think the Glock 36 is a good comparison although I think the Walther PPS 9MM is a better one since there still is no "slimline" Glock in 9mm. How do you think the recoil is compared to the PPS which is not bad for such a short gun? I do think the trigger guard is a little big and that the handle is a little short--I like the 6,7,8 options on the PPS with the grip extensions.

I think you are right in that the 709 and the Glock are really not comparable. The Taurus 709 is a pocket pistol and the double stack Glock is really not condusive to pocket carry. Right now I am carrying it using the Clip Draw attachment. It is very easy to carry in this mode and slips in and out of the waistband easily.

I have not problem with the recoil and it is probably very comparable with the Walther PPS. Hopefully Taurs will get their 9 round magazines in soon.

I just bought a 709 9mm slim at Bass Pro and could not wait to take it to the range. Cleaned it the night it was purchased and off to the range the next day with high expectations. Boy was I dissapointed. After the first 3 rounds I had FTE problems. The casings were not coming out of the barrel or some were only coming out partially before the next round was jamming it in. Tried the other mag and had the same problems. Thinking the gun had to loosen up I tried again multiple times and could not get two rounds to cycle consecutively. This gun is good only for a paperweight. If you had to depend on this gun I would say that your odds of winning the lottery would be better than your chances of living through an encounter with an adversary.

Yes it is dissapointing to say the least. I am going back today after another good cleaning with some different ammo and see what happens. The warranty thing is great except for the hassle of trying to ship a handgun. Hoping for the best. I'll let you know.

Please let us know. I doubt that the cleaning and different ammo is going to change much. Reliability is usually due to either limp wristing, a bad magazine, or timing problems with the slide and extractor. The recoil is pretty managable on my pistol so I doubt you are limp wristing. I am assuming you have tried both magazies so that is probably not the problem. It would only leave a timing or extration problem. Timing issues are more common on .40 S&Ws so I am betting it is an extraction problem.

Went out last night with a box of old S&W 9mm jhp I had sitting around because I did not have time to go by the store. I was not expecting much change but just currious. The S&W JHP's fed and ejected well which is surprising because like I said they are old. Shot 4 magazines and I had one FTE and one stove pipe. Much better than WWB which jammed alomst every time. Just for comparison I tried a mag of WWB again but with the same horrible results as before. Note that upon close inspection of the extractor there is what seems to me to be a burr or deformity. I don't think that it was made that way but don't know. Also while one magazine will trip the slide catch after emtying the mag, the other magazine will not. The yellow plastic feed tray moves over to the right far enough to miss the little tab that raises the slide catch. Both mags look the same so I don't know what that is all about. In any case it seems that ammo does make a differance at least in my gun and my hunch is that there is something wrong with the extractor.

Just to continue the Uncle Mike's holster discussion, I already had a #15 holster and it is a wee-bit long for the PT709 (by about an inch), so I am going to look into a #1 if I can find one in a left-handed orientation (I am right-handed, but prefer the reverse draw).

I appreciate this review. Thank you for taking the time to do so. I held a 709 today and am impressed with the gun despite not actually firing it. However, I have also seen some fairly negative reviews on a forum, which makes me want more information. I have another Taurus (24/7) and like it a lot. I believe I may end up getting a 709 as long as it gets mostly favorable reviews by actual shooters and owners. FYI, I was looking at the PF-9 at the range when he warned me of an incident with a local police officer dropping his PF-9 causing it to fire. The department has apparently "de-authorized" the use of the PF-9 for primary or for back-up as a result of the incident. Thanks again for your review.

I have several Taurus pistols and am happy with all of them..... I jumped on the Pt 709 and love it..... I make my own holsters and belts..... I made a horizontal holster that sits right beside my buckle.... it goes on with my pants in the morning and I simply do not feel it..... yet I have a 9mm within easy reach at all times.... In my opinion this pistol has no real competition.... the Keltec feels like a toy next to this gun.... the glock 26 is way too big and thick and is missing a safety, so not only is it the best of it's kind it's also a bargain of a price? BTW mine shoots great and has never FTF.

I based my purchase on your review and am not disappointed. I have a Bersa .380 but have trouble concealing it. Being a woman and wearing my pants on my "true" waist, the Bersa just wasn't concealing good enough for me. The 709 Slim conceals wonderfully for me and is a very nice shooting pistol besides. Had 2 FTF in the first 100 rounds through it, but I attribute that to cheap ammo.

I just bought the 709 yesterday. Took it to the range today. Fired 100 rounds of Remington(115 gr) then fired some Federal Hydra-shock (124 gr). Not one FTE or FTF. worked great. I bought a Uncle mike's holster. Its a size 36 IWB. I know its for a 2" small frame, but it fits great and snug. I go between carrying at 4:30 or the Appendix Carry either way the 709 does not get in the way.

Great review of a great gun. I've got 1000+ rounds and the only malfunction I've ever had was the slide not locking back after the last round. That hasn't happened in a long time though. If you're on the fence - buy it!

I didn't like the way the Uncle Mike's carried my 709 straight up. I wanted a little slant. I emailed this guy at ccsholsters@yahoo.com on another thread and bought a holster from him. Fully adjustable and ambidextrous. Check him out - you'll be happy you did.

I was impressed with the feel of the 709. Just wondering if there is any comparison to the Kahr PM9? I have carried the PM9 in a High Noon Tuckable Holster for the last few years and am always looking for something that would compare. Any comments, suggestions?

Obviously the Taurus 709 and the Kahr PM9 fill the same niche as a pocket pistol. The 709 is slightly larger at 6.2 inches long versus the PM9 at 5.3 inches in length. The 709 is also 5 ounces heavier. The 709 is thinner, but not by much. The two main differences for me are the trigger pull and the sights. The longer pull of the PM9 could cause a shooter to throw their shots a little wide when shooting under stress. The PM9's sights are a little higher profile than the 709 however the 709 rear sight is fully adjustable which is a real plus.

I bought the 709 looking for something more concelable than my kel-tec. The price was great and after 500 rounds I am selling my kel-tec. My first Taurus and I am now a fan. The 709 has performed flawlessly for me. I do have the same issue of not locking back the slide on the last round but with 7 rounds it is easy to count and reload accordingly. I have big hands and this weapon fits, feels and handles excellently. I found the DeSantis "insider" holster to be an excellent CCW holster, it isn't tuckable but works great otherwise. The small single stack mags are easy to conceal in any pocket for a rapid reload. The trigger did take a little getting used to but once familiar is great. I am a fan of the mechanical safety which my kel-tec did not have. I have shot the LCP, PPS, and a few different "concealable" subcompacts and the 709 is what I choose to carry.

So, Joe, you think it's relevant to compare the width of a single stack 9mm (i.e. 709) to a single stack .45acp (i.e. G36)? Here's some news for you - apples and oranges. How about comparing the width to other single stack 9mms like the Kahr CW9? That's relevant.

Yes, I would suppose that comparing the Taurus 709 to the G36 is like comparing apples to oranges. However apples and oranges serve the same purpose; they provide sustenance when you are hungry. As such the 709 and the G36 also serve the same purpose in that they are very compact self-defense pistols. Their comparison is relevant to me because the G36 is one of my choices for personal carry.

If you were unhappy with this review fear not; Average Joe offers a money-back guarantee and I will gladly refund the price you paid to read the review.

Thank you for the review of the 709. I have been considering a Kel Tec PF9 and had just about made up my mind until I read this review. Now I'm back on the fence. I guess who says I have to only get one or the other!

yes i agree the review was good. i was checkin the pf9 for a bit, it does look cheap and the slide looks crappy. the 709 in stainless has extreme apeal to me personaly. i own a ruger p345 and a taurus pt145 3rd gen. the ruger, obviously not in the same category, but the pt145 has been outstanding, no issues whatsoever worth mentioning. ok i will..i fed it .45 GAP ammo for a bit before i relized what i had done (GAP does NOT = AUTO lol at myself) it failed to feed round 1 and 2 of the mag right. auto slides into chamber beautifuly! i carry it in my iwb JBP 'SLEEPING DOG' size #228 with button strap. my point is that Taurus has me convinced that they make quality subcompact handguns and i am on bored with the 709 for look, size, slimness and can be fed +P ammo (suposedly. i have no tried. check out gunblast.com for the vid of the 709 rapid fire with corbon +P ammo). im a pt145 owner since december 2006, today is march 10 2010 with over 700 rounds through it). also my best friend bought the pt140ss and is in love with it and has fired over 1000 rounds in it no issues, no returns to taurus. so much so he bought another of the same 1.5 years later, now he is a father of two stainless steel sisters. thanks everyone, i am on bored and want and will purchase a new 709 when i find one in stores near by, and if none close by then online.

...also i mention the pt145 for size comparison. is 1/4+inch thicker, grip is pinky width longer, gun is 3-4 oz heavier + the ammo in mag cap of 10 is much heavier on top of gun weight without mag, .45 ammo not the cheapest for range shooting. 709 will be my primary ccw most of the time and probably all through hot weather times. but i will now have the option and A NEW TOY for myself! ..yes i said toy, i do love gun. :)

Just bought a 709 with Stainless slide last week. Can anyone confirm if the 709 is rated to fire +P ammo?

Cleaned out the gunk and took to the range (twice so far). I have put about 150 rounds of factory ammo including the last 5 Rem Golden Saber hollow points I had. I'm happy to say I had zero FTF and zero FTEs. I used Rem UMC, Blazer Brass and Winchester white box. All were greedily digested and put down range. Ordered a pocket holster from Simply Rugged and am considering the Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB - there is a lot of positive press on the comfort of these. The gun seems to shoot low and to the right so will next do some sight adjustment. So far, I have no complaints and believe that Taurus has fixed early production problems that cauased the failures. The owner's manual does not mention the need to pull the trigger to take down - it is necessary as mentioned in the review here.

Hey Joe I am stuck now with your review between this gun (709 slim)The Kahr p9 or pm9.

My situation is a little different I have a ostomy bag on my front right side my strong side and cannot wear a belt comfortably. I carry a glock 27 which I love but it pulls my pants down way further than anybody walking by would care to see.

I do not like pocket carry IWB seems to work best. Whats your guys thought on maybe other carry methods and the pistols I mentioned.

Boy you have presented quite a challenge. IWB and pocket carry are my preferred methods of carry.

I don't know if you would be comfortable carrying in a fanny pack holster, but there are a multitude of manufacturers producing them. The obvious drawback is the speed by which you can access the pistol.

A shoulder holster is another option. While it would provide quicker access it would require some type of cover garment.

A third option would be a t-shirt holster. I have been interested in trying one of them. While they provide perhaps the ultimate in deep concealment they are also not going to be easy to access. The other problem is how many of them you will need in order to have a fresh one daily in-between laundry cycles. Here are links to two of them:

The 511 shirt got good reviews. The most common issues reported by their consumers were that they seams were "itchy" and the velcro closure on the holster pocket was noisy and gave away your draw.

511 also makes a line of tactical shirts with "hidden document" pockets. These pockets are in the chest of the shirt and close with a small amount of velcro. These pockets would easily accommodate the thin Taurus 709. I used to carry a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver in one of their tactical shirts and no one every called me on it.

This gets into a lot of personal preference here and what works well for me might not work well for you. I prefer the Taurus because it feels thinner to me, I liked the trigger action better, it had adjustable sights, it has an external safety and when you are carrying in a pocket holster which is not as secure as a belt holster I want the extra safety device, and I shot it more accurately under stress than I did the Kahr.

Well, all you lucky guys who actually purchased a 709 that functions properly, congrats. I took mine home and started shooting and found that the trigger would break (fire) alternately at about 5 lbs once in every 10 or 12 pulls. Other times it was more like 10-12 lbs, and sometimes somewhere between 20 and 30 lbs., I kid you not. There were times when my wrist and arm would shake from straining to get the gun to fire. A definite safety issue, not to mention junk, right out of the box.

I had to overnight it to Miami ($50)for a gun I didn't even have for a day. I asked Taurus customer service (rude people)to be reimbursed for the shipping, given the circumstances. Their reply: No way.

I am going to report what I consider a safety issue to BATF as they are in charge of firearms safety issues.

I have owned 4 Taurus firearms, 3 of which have had to go back for repair. I just bought my Judge and have put very few rounds thru it so it has not had to go back - yet.

I've had enough of this Brazilian junk manufacturer. No more for me. I will never trust my life to a Taurus product and I think you're nuts to do so. I'll plink with it when it come back - if it works. (How did it ever get thru quality control in the first place?) Maybe they don't have any.

I'll stick with my Glock 26: utterly reliable and never ANY kind of failure in 10 years. It's a REAL pistol with REAL sights and a REAL trigger.Remember, you get what you pay for. My experience shows me the 709 is junk.

Hey Joe, very good review. I just got my 709B this weekend and can't wait to shoot it. Feels great in hand and really like the trigger. It's my first pistol in many years and my first CC. Thanks a lot.

I just picked up a pt709 last week and have put over a hundred rounds through it. everything from FMJ to Gold Dots to Winchester Ranger +p+s with no malfunctions at all. I love the way the gun handles. I put a small pachmyer grip sleeve on mine. The only problem I'm having is that the gun shoots way low. I've adhusted the sights a million times and it's just low. I have to shoot it with a twelve o'clock hold to hit in the center of the target. Any suggestions?

When you adjust the elevation on the sight can you actually that the sight is moving properly? The only other thing I can think of is to have a friend (or instructor if there happens to be one handing around the range) watch and make sure that you are not over-pulling at the end of the trigger pull causing you shot to go low.

I just purchased the 709 and was able to find it at two locations in all black. The first one had it priced at $349.00 and the other $369.00. Got an inside the belt holster like shown and paid around $13.00 for it. So far I am enjoying the 709 and it fits very nicely in the holster. In my humble opinion this seems to be a great gun and I dont feel anyone would go wrong purchasing it.

I have been looking for a hand gun for a few weeks. I have never owned one before. After an hour of holding different guns, I was impressed with the PT 709. It felt great in my small hands, not to heavy, grip wasn't bulky. Before purchasing it I wanted to read up on it. Thank you for having this site. Now I just need to find a store with better prices. Gander MTN had it for 449.00.

Well after reading your review I decided to give this gun a try. I was a little scared at first because of the mixed reviews about FTL's and FTE's, but I took it home, cleaned it up, and took it out to the range today. I put 215 rounds of Federal 115 grain FMJ's through it without a single problem. I tried several stances, double handed, single handed, even purposefully limp wristed a few times. So far I am very pleased with this gun and after 300-500 more rounds through it without any problems I would deem it trustworthy of a daily summer carry gun. I am going to try out some different brands of ammo and I'l let everyone know how it works out.Thanks for the great review and keep it up!

Very nice review. I actually just purchased this gun after my local shop said it was a good gun and I trust them highly. You definately reassured me that I made a good investment. I also carry a few other Taurus' so I was hoping this would be good. I bought it for my wife since it will easily conceal in her purse...Thanks a lot for all the information, keep it up.

Good and informative review. I just purchased a Keltec PF-9 and did not care for it at all. The accuracy was quite good but the recoil was brutal.I think this is partially due to a lack of grip to hold on to. Recoil we me is usually not an issue since I own a 44 mag Super Blackhawk and a Colt Delta in 10MM.I went today and traded for a Taruspt-709. Which at first I didn't know about, but the feel and point are guite good. I stopped on the way home totry it out and was amazed by the lack of recoil. I can see the sights need to be adjusted but there was not FTE or FTF's. After I run a few hundred rounds through it with no problems I will probably start to use it as a conceal carry.

I also have this firearm i choose to use a uncle mikes size 5 inside the pocket holder ,works good for me.I do have to say i had to jack up the rear sight all the way up before i got a cover shot ,not 6-oclock but front sight covering the target.just my preference.have about 350 rounds through mine,people please clean all the packing grease out of the gun before fireing it,and dont pay to much attention about all the taurus bashing on the net,I really dont understand it,this is a great firearm and yes i own glocks,smiths ,rugers,and a pt111 pro,and the slim is just as reliable as all of them,including the glocks.for a little over 400 after taxes buy it.great review by the way.

I'm sure it's a bit late by now, but from what I've seen while browsing the web is the 709 hates Winchester White Box... A bit of a hassle, but to save yourself, it's worth investing a couple of bucks in decent ammo.

Someone made a comparison with the WWB ammo and some Remmington stuff... If I recall, the WWB's lip was slightly different.

I have had no problem with white box winchester at all,in fact other than testing my cor bon carrry ammo which is about 20 rounds thats all that has been through my 709,which is about the 300 mark give or take a few.as i said before just clean it real good before expecting this gun to performe as it should.

Joe, I bought my 709 and it shoots way left and low. I cannot get a good group. My XD9 Subcompact shot very tight groups out of the box and I am master of my domain with my EAA Elite Match. No FTEs, but my thumb slips sometimes and hits the mag release which causes misfire. What do you recommend for adjustments to shoot this one more straight? Tighter grip? Adjust sights? Please advise.

Well, the best feature of the little Taurus is it's small size and width. Unfortunately this is not conducive for some people, especially those with larger hands, to shot it accurately. Your XD and your EAA Witness Match have wider and longer grips (plus the EAA Witness Match is one of the most accurate pistols I have ever fired). I generally have a tendency to shoot low and to the left and the usual culprit is that I have too much finger on the trigger. That is especially easy to do with a thin pistol like the 709. On my 709 I was able to cure most of this by adjusting the sights. You may also want to check out this site as it has a good discussion of the mechanics of your grip and arm and how they may cause you to shoot low and to the left:http://www.pointshooting.com/lowleft.htm

Thought I'd throw my two cents in on the discussion here since this page comes up at the top of the Google search. I picked up an all black version of this pistol and have run it through its paces with about 500 rounds down range.

First, you gotta clean the sucker. And I don't mean a brush down the bore and a cloth across the action. I mean you REALLY have to clean it when you first get it. The manufacturer fills the gun with a thick packing grease that probably accounts for 80% of the complaints about the gun failing to feed and failing to eject. In particular, get under the ejector, along the slide rails, across the bolt face, and around the transfer bar. It took me 45 minutes to get mine completely clear of the goo. Once it's absolutely clean add some good grease or oil to the rails. Mine also needs a drop of oil next to the transfer bar where it rubs slightly.

Second, hold the gun tight when firing. This is more than just a limp wristing problem. You have to grip it firmly. If you don't then the gun doesn't have enough weight to work with the recoil to fully cycle the action, eject the case, and chamber the next round. I found this out shooting slowly and had two FTE's with a single clip. Then I went back and fired rapid and was able to launch through 50 rounds without a problem. Difference? I was holding on tighter. Went back and slow fired with a firm grip and all was well. Incidentally my 10-year-old son had the same problem with the Ruger LCP in .380. His hands simply were not strong enough to hold the gun through recoil and cycle the action. It's not the gun's fault when this happens - it's just the laws of physics.

Third, break it in. I don't know how many times I've read a review where somebody complains that a gun malfunctioned on the first clip. You have to run a few hundred rounds through the machine before everything settles in. The more rounds I shot the smoother the gun became. I want another few hundred of my personal defense ammo through it before I carry it, but I don't see any real mechanical problems with the firearm.

Fourth, like many firearms, this one seems to be a bit ammo sensitive. Fire the cheap stuff to break the gun in, but expect a few FTE and FTF's. Once you've got about eight boxes through then start feeding it your defense ammo and really test it. If it doesn't like the ammo then try a different kind. Sometimes a different powder or a different case rim can make all the difference in a small pistol!

Fifth, if you have large hands, the gun won't feel too comfortable for you. No big surprise there right? You pay a price for that thin grip frame and extended shooting sessions can be a bit painful after a while. I have meat hooks for hands and at about the 200 round mark I was feeling it.

Finally, I've noticed that there's some really cheap 9mm ammo out there right now. The manufacturers are cranking it out to meet demand and a lot of it is pretty poor quality. I had one box that kept failing to fire even though the primer was dimpled. Tried it in another 9mm gun and got the same result. Be sure you buy good ammo before blaming the gun - especially in this day and age where it's hard to get good ammo at a decent price.

If you're considering one of these firearms I wouldn't dissuade you. I would tell you to do the same as I would with any other manufacturer. Understand the gun and its limitations. Run the gun through its paces and make sure it works with the ammo you carry. If there's problems then tell the manufacturer and have them make it right.

i am looking to buy my first pistol..i am shopping a few different models and sizes...the taurus 709 and the bersa thunder 380 are my top two choices..i also found a great deal on a ruger p95 9mm..any suggestions on other good pistols? thanks

Although I have not shot one (but intend to soon) the Bersa Thunderer in .380 seems to have a loyal following and the price is right. For someone who is buying their first pistol I generally recommend the Glock Model 19 in 9mm or the Taurus Millennium, 24/7, or OSS in 9mm. They are all good pistols and you will find a pretty good price on the Taurus brand.

I recently bought the 709 as my prime ccw and am very happy with it's performance and feel in both carrying and firing. I have read a lot of reviews, most good but some bad. This gun shoots straight, period. There have been people complaining about not being able to zero in the sights and I have to vehemently disagree. While they do not line up correctly, as a ccw, if you find yourself in a tight spot, are you really going to have time to line up your dots on a target?? Probably not. The lifetime guarantee is fantastic and if you want it zeroed in correctly (which I understand) you are able to send it back. As far as the "slide hang ups", I had 2 during the first 200 rounds but if you strip it, you'll see it comes from the factory with grease literally slobbered all over it so it was easily corrected. If you look at the comparable Kahr models, they say, right in the manual that this will happen during the break in period so it is not uncommon even for the higher end weapons. Just learn to shoot it and you will be more than happy with it. Just my humble opinion.

I found this review and comment section very helpful before I bought my PT709 Slim. I have 210 flawless rounds through the gun using both 115gr & 126gr fodder.

Those who said an intial cleaning was important were spot on with their comments. I think there must be a little Brazilian with a grease fetish employed at Taurus. The firing pin channel was packed solid with grease. A buyer can add $5 to his bill for a can of Break-Free or gun Scrubber...sheesh!

I am the same way as the guy being a "6 o'clock" shooter with the elevation maxxed. Combat style aiming puts me dead center but the 6 o'clock is a hard habit to break.

I am happy with my purchase and feel confident in it's performance for what it is. And that is a reliable close quarters $369 weapon to get you out of a jam if need be.

I have a Kahr CW 45 (my first gun purchase) but I am considering getting the Taurus 709 Slim. I am a small guy and have trouble concealing the Kahr. The Taurus seems to be lighter and is also a little smaller.

What are your thoughts?

Why do you recommend a Glock Model 19 in 9mm or the Taurus Millennium, 24/7, or OSS in 9mm to new gun purchasers?

I have a Kahr CW 45 (my first gun purchase) but I am considering getting the Taurus 709 Slim. I am a small guy and have trouble concealing the Kahr. The Taurus seems to be lighter and is also a little smaller.

What are your thoughts?

Why do you recommend a Glock Model 19 in 9mm or the Taurus Millennium, 24/7, or OSS in 9mm to new gun purchasers?

very good reviews. i am turning 21 and plan to get my concealed carry in janurary, i live in Iowa, and feel i should get it while i still can. I am undecided on what i want at this poin, i want a d/a s/a gun with adjustable sight for around 350, and this gun seems to fit perfectly... local store said i can get one and a box of ammo for shy under 400.any suggestions on other makes or models a could check out? also, when ppl use abreviations such as +p+ or +p, what does that mean, i figured out the ftf and fte, fmj, jhp, ect...

I have read through all of the remarks here, and I have found only one that was disconcerting. To the anonymous poster who complained about Taurus' customer service:

I recently purchased a PT709 for my wife. After one day on the range, we were pleased with the performance of the gun. However, we noticed a small crack had developed on the grip frame near the slide. We called Taurus, and explained the problem to them (before we just threw it in a box and shipped it). They were not rude. They actually sent me (via email) a FedEx shipping label, so that I could send the gun to them on their dime.

It should be noted that the gun was purchased used, at a gun show, and Taurus STILL honored the warranty.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with their customer service. I have not seen it. We own several firearms from various manufacturers, and Taurus' customer service is no better or worse than any other that I have dealt with.

I realize this is an old review, but I am thinking about trading in my CZ 2075 for a Taurus 709 Slim and was curious if any issues with this gun has popped up since introduction.I love my CZ and believe it to be remarkable shooter, but as an average joe, I can't afford to "collect" guns and am wanting a more concealable weapon.If I could keep the CZ, I would. If I could afford some of their others, I would jump on them, but can't. I have avoided Taurus and have avoided striker fired pistols but since this one has an external safety and a lifetime warranty I am going to try something new - Taurus and striker fire.

Nice review but it fails to mention two things I find most aggravating about the Slim. First is the unforgivable decision by Taurus to have a trigger guard, nice and large though it is, essentially useless as an aid to control recoil. All for the sake of style. It is simply stupid to leave a desirable feature like a combat trigger guard off of a carry weapon. The second is the too generous ramping at the chamber mouth leaves brass from full power loads so sharply bulged (blistered would be a better description) their safety is suspect for reloading. Civilian brass worse than military. (IMI brass seems to survive OK) Others seem to attain reliable feeding without trashing your brass.

I just purchased the 709 slim, first two magazines had FTF but that was resolved after clearing the grease with Break Free. Then another issue reared it's head. The slide will not lock to the rear after the last shot fired in the mag. After some experimenting with differnrt ammo and hand grips, I discovered that if I squeeze the paint off of the plastic while gripping it, the slide will lock to the rear after the last shot. I have never had a limp wristing issue before with any of my other handguns including an MP 45, SW 357, Sig 380. Just finnicky I guess.

I just bought the pt 740 ss (the 709's big bro) and I love it. First cleaned all the heavy shipping grease out then took it to the range yesterday. 150 flawless rounds of cheap Tula ammo. & 25 rounds of hollow points. comfortable, manageable recoil, totally fun I could have shot another 150rds. I'm glad I chose this over the pf 9 which many say is no fun to shoot. Also 2 minor adjustments to sights and excellent groupings out to 35yards and I consider myself to be an intermediate shooter. This gun is a great value and an awesome 40 cal. shooter I definitely recommend it!!!!!! I also own a pt 101 with 15 years of reliable service and no required repairs. Taurus does make quality guns. BTW nice review

Bought my 709 about a month ago took it home and cleaned it next day to the range with nothing but problems. Fail to feed, fail to eject etc. I took it home took it down cleaned it again and this time took the magazines apart and cleaned them (I had heard taurus really uses lots of grease). Back to the range 200 rounds perfect, went again yesterday 150 rounds, perfect love this gun.

Thanks for an educated review!I own and enjoy a Taurus PT 840, 845 and now the 740. I researched, handled & fired various models of Glock's, Kahr's, XD's & S&W's. I kept coming back to Taurus. That 840 is my duty weapon. The 845 is my bedside weapon and the 740 is my CCW. They replaced a S&W Model 5906, a Beretta 92 and a KelTec.In my research & handling of the various manufacturers offerings, I found that the most viscious 'gunsnob' comments come from those individuals that wake up one day and realize they overpaid $200 for their 'brand Name' weapon. These are the individuals that are of the mindset that the price of a weapon dictates the quality. As a civilian armorer for the NY State Police & The NY/NJ Port Authority, I can tell you that 98% of the individuals who have experienced FTF, FTE, stovepipes, etc... are experiencing them because they fail to clean their weapon properly before the first use. Swapping the barrel, spraying a little cleaner & throwing around a little lube does not constitute cleaning. Additionally, I am tickled by the amount of individuals that will purchase a weapon at any price or make, and then proceed to find & attempt to use the cheapest, most God-awful ammo available. It's like buying a $40K motorcycle & then buying your helmet at WalMart. Your pre-range cleaning of a weapon should include a complete disassembly of the weapon AND THE MAGAZINES.. Then submerge ALL parts in the sink, full of the hottest water you can physically stand, with just enough Dawn dish soap added to form a cleaning solution. With your toothbrush, scrub every inch, every surface, every nook & cranny. Then transition to a small brass wire brush to use on all the springs, etc... don't use the wire brush on the Polymer or plastic pieces. Pay special attention to the magazine well and the magazine release components. There IS ALWAYS a blob of packing grease hiding in there. When you scrub the frame, look at the mate job of the slide rails into the polymer. Often times, and especially on Taurus I have noticed, there is a slight burr or puild up of material at each rail. Simply file it off smooth. Once you've completely scruubed it, hand dry each piece. Use a blow dryer on the lower half & pay attention to the trigger assembly. After you are sure it is 100% dry, swab a patch down the barrel, using one simple drop of lube. Using a tootpick, work one bead of lube into your magazine release and into the trigger spring, hammer spring, etc. Reassemble the weapon & dry fire several times. Your weapon is now superbly clean & ready for flawless operation. Whenever guys bring in a Taurus and bitch about it, I ask them to show me how they cleaned it before first use. Many 'fess-up' and say they actually didn't clean it. Anyway, the Taurus 800 series and the 709 & 740 are some of the smartest weapons purchases you can make. I return, on average, 10 Glocks a week for catastrophic failure, or some other failure not field serviceable. The industry journal reported in December 2010 that S&W experiences 9.2% returns per 5K pistols sold. Beretta comes in at 8.8% per 5K pistols sold. Glock came in at 7.9% per 5K. Taurus came in at 5.9% per 5K, unchanged from 2009 figures. Ruger is in the double digits. I apologize for the length of this reply, but the OP is right when stating that all the negative press comes from 'someone-that-knew-someone-that-heard-from-somebody-else', but never actually owned or much less handled said weapon. Regardless of your weapon of choice, the best weapon ever made is the one in your hand going 'Bang' when you need it to. Enjoy your day... I'm taking my 740 to the range...

I have owned the pt709 for over 1.5 years. Over 500 rounds now fired. Cleaned thoroughly before ever firing and again after each range session with clp. 3 fte with white box. I have shot remington, hornady ftx +p and non + p, and federal hydrashoks. I called Taurus and it is rated to fire any SAMMI rated ammo including SAMMI RATED +P. All of those were flawless. I have 3 mags and a hogue handall Jr sleeve. I use a bianchi iwb leather holster for a glock and a owb for the gun from don Hume. I plan on using it for ccw when wisconsins law passes. I love this handgun.

Hello there! I have been a proud owner of the Taurus 709 slim for a little over 2 years now and i love it! Awesome review; could not have been more spot on than myself if i were writing it. So for that i thank you. I am still looking for the extended round magazine too, so dont feel bad. The Uncle Mikes holster is what i have to carry as well, best one i found so far. I have put many of rounds through it and mine has never jammed or anything. A lot of people laughed when they found out thats what i carried concealed, same type of people like you mentioned. Never held it nor shot it either. Then i break out my targets and there story changed!!!! Thanks again and keep them coming!

I decided on the 709 after renting at ranges around town and putting a box through just about every single-stacked compact 9 on the market.

The ergonomics of this weapon simply can NOT be beat for the price. I'm not an expert marksman and do not compete but, I've never had a better grouping at 10 yards with any pistol when firing once per second. I nearly put each round through the same hole in the dead center of the target the first time I fired it.

I had no idea how bad my other pistols felt until I held this one. It just fit me perfectly so, my new 709 will be arriving next week.

I know that I need to clear the gunk when it arrives. I've never used soap on any of my weapons. The only semi-auto pistol that I've ever purchased brand new is also the my least reliable one so, so, mmbsrUSA's first time cleaning directions have stunned me. Joe, do you agree that his comment is the proper prep procedure prior to firing your new 709 for the first time?

mmbsrUSA is an armorer so I trust his guidance. It is more involved than most people will do but I bet that everyone of his pistols run flawlessly. I keep waiting for someone to make a pistol that is dishwasher safe!

just checked out your ereview of the 709.found it very helpfull ive wanted one since they came out.ended up buying a pt111 mill.pro. i wanted to really push reliability i put just over 900 rounds thru it before taking it apart to clean had zero ftf or fte so i cant bash taurus at all thanks again for the info jbs

I've been looking for a Concealed Carry for a little while now and have been impressed with the PT709 Mine is due to be delivered tomorrow. Granted a few have had problems but then how many mid-price pistols have not had some problems. I appreciate your review and found it confirmed my desicion to purchase. Thanks

Just fired my new 709 yesterday. Put 100 rounds of Federal down range then started putting 100 rounds of Winchester white box. I had no ftf or fte with the Federal. I had 7 fte and 1 ftf from the white box. I did expect this from the white box based on previous reviews by others. Overall, I am very impressed with the shot groups at 21 feet. I had a Hogue Jr. Grip on it thru out the session yesterday, but have removed it. The trigger guard allows it to ride up to high and the divider hits right in the middle finger. I additional added Pearce Mag extension which really help out on the grip. I'm very happy with the pistol.

I recently bought a 709 from my police officer friend. He and his wife (also an officer) used it for a few months. When I fired it, it shot low and right (I am a lefty). I adjusted the sights. Now with my hands on a rest I can put 7 rounds in the same hole at 15 feet. Free hand I am 1.5 inches across at 15 feet. The trigger is the best! The safety is very nice. Recoil is nominal. I experience no recoil anticipation at all. Even better than my Glock 19 or my Springfield XD sub compact. Just got my concealed carry permit. Took my 709 for a ride today for the first time. Front pocket carry worked well. For those who believe 9mm is the preferred load, this is the very best small pistol available.

You will find a substantial amount of negative comments on any blog regarding any product due to a lack of accountability as it's all online, not just guns but other products as well. Most of these"pundits" usually have never owned the product they bash but are quick to tell a story about a friend of a friend whom X issue happened to. Taurus gets special attention on this and while they may have had poor quality back in the day and the inevitable issue today, I doubt they have any more or less than any other modern manufacturer today. I do honestly think a lot of negative hype about taurus can be attributed to a highly arrogant n equally idiotic gun owner who has plenty of horrible habits, but see's themselves as an authority cause they happen to own a couple of guns. But like I said that can be found anywhere.

I have a 709,and at 330,00 at my local shop,it is the best.I have fied 1000 rounds out of it,diffrent brands,hp's,just a mix of rounds and I had 0 problems with it,for the money it is the best thing out there.they make a pt709G2 that holds 9+1,but it is hard to find.Great carry pistol,great sites,cant say enough about it.A great buy.I also put a pinky rest on my clips,and it fits my hand perfect.

I just came from the range and put over a hundred rounds through my new Taurus PT 709 slim 9mm pistol. The pistol preformed flawlessly. No FTF or FTE's and no miss fires. I have been following this thread on this blog and noted a lot of negative press for this firearm. I think what made the difference was that I cleaned this brand new pistol directly from the factory in hot soapy water, then lightly oiled the moving parts. I would like to thank the mmbsrUSA for the great description of a great cleaning process.

Oddly enough, I actually read parts of the owner's manual before loading my 709, which I got for $309 out-the-door at a local sporting goods store sale, all black, one mag. As directed, I detail-cleaned the gun, removing a fair amount of gunk in the process. since then I've put around 500 rounds of Federal 115 gr. ball, Winchester 124 gr. NATO, WWB and Critical Defense (carry ammo) through it with no stovepipes, FTE, FTF; the only two problems I've had are occasional failures to slidelock on last round, and it prints about 1.5 inches left with rear sight all the way to the right (which requires a VERY small screwdriver!), I called Taurus, they sent me a shipping label, and I expect return in a couple of weeks, with either a new sight blade, slide, barrel or gun. This happened with all ammo and several shooters. At 10 yds. as a defense gun it's not an issue; I'm a j-frame shooter for that primarily but wanted something I could find ammo for and that my wife might like (fail--back to j-frame). If it comes back with a similar problem, I'll find someone who doesn't care about that issue and sell it for 275; hopefully taurus will toss in a mag for my trouble. Either way, I have no major beef, it does its job and fits my hand AND my right front pocket. And for those that know somebody that heard from someone else-- phooey on them. I remember owning a Sterling .380 the size of a Beretta 92 that worked 100%-- try to hide it with shorts on! Same with a functional full-size 1911. Get what works for you, and ignore the rumors; you may have to find out the hard way, but you'll know. It may end up being a J-frame!

Just read review, fair, impresed!Bought "slim" last saturday at gun show but going to range today found out triger does not engage slide. Called Taurus and they are sending label for shipping to correct issue but read in another blog this happened to sonmeone else.Will keep you posted

Forgive me if I am repeating anything someone has already posted. I purchased the 709 yesterday after handling it at the counter and falling immediately in love with its all around feel. (yes, I’m a woman) After reading through numerous blogs last night I noticed one recurrent theme, multiple bloggers experiencing problems with WWB specifically. There were several of course, that complained of FTF's and FTE's regardless of what ammo choice they made. This only lead me to believe they did not give the 709 a thorough cleaning before heading to the range. I learned from experience that Taurus loads their firearms up with grease and crud during the manufacturing process. If you are a novice gun owner or rush through the first cleaning, you are likely to have a poor outcome at the firing range. I can’t wait to take mine for a test run.

I purchased the 'slim" taurus 709several weeks ago and finally got to shoot it today...wow, was I surprised....The trigger pull was almost non-existant and for a moment I thought that I had pulled all the way and then the shot fired and the reset is soooo close.anyway after the first mag of 7, I shot another mag and then on the third mag I was used to the trigger and found it facinating as to the ease this weapon was to fire. once I got used to the trigger pull I worked on my accuracy and by the time I put 50 rounds throught it without any issues my accuracy was great with a 3 inch grouping at 25 feet. I had ordered the Pearce mag extenders but have not received them yet. That should make the grip better although I had no issues at all with the grip as is..I purchased the Uncle Mike's IWBsize 12 and it works great..over all the Taurus PT709 "slim" is a great concealed carry handgun, I enjoyed firing it, recoil was goodno problems getting back on target. ease of trigger pull and reset, just a fantastic overall weapon.glad I purchased it..

I found the above article informative as this is mt first ccw and apparently I do not know it all like you do. I have a Beretta PX4 and it did not have the thick paste like the Taurus. Cleaning it thoroughly eliminated the FTE issue I had. Also the tight grip with the right hand greatly improved the low and left shooting and sights only required small adjustment.

I have owned a variety of Taurus handguns in the past 5 years, wheelguns and autos, so its safe to say that I gave them a fair shake. I would never trust my life, or the life of a loved one to a Taurus. I have found them to be completely unreliable. I won't go into specifics because that would be a long and needless rant. Taurus products are cheap to buy for a reason. They are cheaply and poorly made. A carry firearm needs to be flawless in terms of reliability. Your life may someday depend on it. Taurus builds subpar firearms and markets them for substantialy less money than the competition. Similar to generic mac n cheese at the grocery store. They are banking on the fact that to save money you are willing to buy a product that appears similar to the real thing, but upon closer inspection its a cheap imitation. I suppose if a Taurus is absolutely breaking the bank upon purchase and you can't reasonably come up with another cent, then I guess its better than a car key or cell phone for the purpose of self defense. There are a lot of well made alternatives to the Taurus slim. Glock 36, Walther pps, Springfield xds or subcompact, Beretta nano, kahr cw -cm or pm's, or the one I can't believe anyone has compared the Taurus slim to. The S&W Shield. All superior in every aspect firearms compared to a Taurus. The only reason I would buy any model of a Taurus is as a cheap plinker, that I didn't mind sending back to the factory every month or so to have the latest issue fixed. That's all I have. I'm a lifelong hunter/gun enthusiast with time in the military and half a lifetime in law enforcement. I hope if you took time to read this you seriously consider my advice and stay far far away from Taurus as your life or death gun. If you don't agree with what I've said that's your prerogative and I couldnt care less. If you have a Taurus that works great with no problems, SELL IT!!! Because they are right around the corner. Take care.

The Taurus 709 slim is a value based firearm. It may initially have little issues, like excessive factory grease or light hits. I replaced a Taurus 709 striker spring with a Glock striker spring,(which was slightly longer)and the light hits on primers were no longer an issue. If your life is depending on it, light hits are not acceptable. This friendly tip comes from a gunsmith who creates cures and does not whine about easily cured problems. That is all.

The Taurus 709 Slim is a value based firearm. It is easily concealed. Initially they may have little issues, like excessive factory grease or light hits on some ammunition types. If your pistol gives light hits, I suggest the following: Remove your firing pin and spring from the slide. Thoroughly clean out the firing pin channel and remove any existing burrs. Replacing the factory firing pin spring with a Glock firing pin spring. This should eliminate any light hits from occurring. This method has been tested by me and found to be successful in curing light hits. Light hits are unacceptable when your life depends on the firearm working properly. Try it you'll like it. Yes, the Glock spring is slightly longer. No, it does not ruin your trigger. Feel free to ignore this and send your gun off to the Taurus factory if you don't trust sound advice. That is all.

I own a 709. I am having trouble finding extra magazines. It shoots fine. I got it for an everyday carry gun while wearing shorts, windpants etc. It's perfect for this, and the price was right, $299 at Academy. I have not had any misfires, FTF, etc., however, I let a young lady shoot it and it would not pick up the next round. She was limp wristing it, plain and simple. Great gun for the price, not extremely accurate, but that's not why I bought it. I bought it to carry and didn't want to spend a lot of money. I can tuck it in a pocket or in my golf bag etc. it's very light and can go anywhere. Note to Taurus: Quit being cheap, and supply this with 2magazines and you will sell twice as many.

I've had my 709 for about 2.5 years, have run around 1500-2,000 rounds of Blazer Brass and WWB through it as well as Hornady Critical Defense. I had a problem with it hitting left even with all windage adjustment used; I got a free shipping label and sent it to Taurus, who put a new slide on it and sent me a 5-shot group target that was centered; no problems since. I'm mostly a revolver shooter, but ammo scarcity made me re-think that. I got mine out-the-door at under $300, all blued. Spare mags are very hard to find and up to $50 when found. I snapped up a couple at $35 and count myself lucky. Thanks for your review!

Hey "Part-Timer", I have a 9mm PT709 with several hundred rounds thru it and it has been flawless. I have installed a Crimson Trace Laser, Pierce grip extensions and for me, it has become the perfect concealed carry gun. I can get three fingers on the grip and the laser verifies my sight picture. Could not be more pleased. The groups you shot I would call typical as mine is equally accurate. Thanks for a great review.

Excellent review. One thing you should mention to potential buyers: DO NOT BUY THIS GUN. Yes, it is inexpensive and well made. Yes, it is reliable and easily concealed. Yes, it is a reliable SD Weapon in 9mm. More importantly, NO, you cannot buy ANY magazines for it ANYWHERE. I have been looking for weeks, as it only came with one. I have contacted Taurus, called more than 100 large gun shops, and tried EVERYWHERE online for days and days and days. There is ONE available on EBay and it is for 100$ used. I am a Taurus Fan, and a collector/shooter of many weapons. Without magazines, this is a boat weight (albeit a nice and light one). Their really should be a disclaimed from Taurus. I have never seen anything like this before (except for the lack of 22 LR a few years back...JM

You might try calling Taurus Customer Service at 305.624.1115. The local rep told me that they may have additional magazines on hand that do not appear on their website. This is somewhat common. Most Manufacturers are not set up for retail sales so they don't do a good job at online marketing. Plus their stocking dealers get mad if the manufacturer puts items online that could be purchased from the dealer.

We just got to fire our 709 and had the same FTE and cycling problems. The range guy helped and had a ton of info. I am a male and shoot more than my spouse. I had FTE problems but not as much as she did. Almost every shot was non eject or cycling with her. The range guy had his non-firing trigger finger wrapped around the trigger well and fingers firm around the firing hand fingers with both thumbs pointing toward target. He also said Taurus claims this pistol is not meant to be fired one handed. This pistol needs to be held very tight for it to function properly. Once we understood that I had zero problems while spouse reduced her FTE. I don’t feel this is a good self-defense pistol unless you get a lot of range time. I love the pistol but don’t need it as it is to small for my hands and I already have a go to. These are just my experiences and any advice/comments are welcome.

Hey guys. My husband and i got our Taurus's at the same time, his a 40 cal, mine a 709. We were terribly frustrated about the FTF/slide not locking/stove piping. I contacted the company and it turns out they had a bad batch of ejectors. We sent them in and all is good in the world again. Easy process. So, don't get mad at the gun, just call and get it fixed!

Generally, Taurus pistols, when comparing them to other brands within the same category of product, are often as much as one-third to one-half the cost of almost all other brands. I believe that this difference in cost would only be noticeable if considering the total life span of the firearm. If you're carrying a Taurus for personal protection, and you aren't expecting to put 20,000-25,000 rounds through it, then I think you can have complete and total faith that the Taurus line of product will perform up to the same standard of performance and reliability that is found in the more expensive brands, and at a significantly lower cost. With me, it was not cost, but innovative design, along with proven hands-on reliability that finally convinced me. There are some very committed Taurus haters out there, and they haven't been kind to Taurus since the very beginning. But, Taurus has come a really long way. I think that Taurus happens to be in the unfortunate position of having to fight some past demons, really old ones, many of which are no longer valid. I have a Taurus PT140 as my primary carry gun, and it performs flawlessly. Just as importantly, it offers features and benefits to the design that are not found in all the other brands. Those features and benefits, along with it's reliability and performance, make it unique, and factored heavily into my decision to carry it. I've been an FFL/Dealer/Law Enforcment Officer for 35 years. I have access to every brand on the market, and all at wholesale cost. I have seen them all, and shot them all. I've found Taurus to be totally and completely reliable, and experienced the same level of performance as all the other brands out there. What you get from the more expensive brands is a longer serviceable life. But, with Taurus' lifetime warranty, low price is definitely something to consider. My assessment isn't intended to minimize the claims from those that have had their problems with Taurus, and/or Taurus' quality control. Taurus does have a very slightly higher statistical incidence of warranty claims compared to some of the other more expensive brands. And, some of the more expensive brands actually have a higher incidents of warranty claims. But, the difference with respect to Taurus having a higher incidents compared to the more expensive brands is very minimal...I've checked. With Taurus, 99.5% of the time, your much more likely to get a good one that will be just as reliable, and perform just as well, as any of the other more expensive brands during their serviceable life. And, if not, if you get a lemon, they make it right, and they do it FOR LIFE!

I have been carrying a full size M&P.45 but wanted something easier to conceal. I found what I was looking for with the PT709 Slim. I immediately cleaned it dry and then asked my own CLP. Took it to the range the next and at my first mag had a couple FTE problems but that was it. I have put over 500 rounds through it and I have no complaints.

Thank you for the review. I have been researching and trying different small pistols. I was leaning towards the Ruger 380 because I have heard negative reviews about the Taurus 709. Did you have any issue with the trigger safety? I heard Taurus just settled a large law suit because of the safety. However, your review and the comments of others have caused me to give this pistol strong consideration.

Just found your site and appreciated your review on the PT709. I just put this handgun on layaway today. It will be my first handgun and I really liked the way it felt in my hand. Looking forward to shooting it. Will be a regular visitor to your site. Thanks. Susan.

500 rounds through the little 709 with no problems,all wolf poly ammo.I like this little gun but for my hand it could use more meat between the trigger and the backstrap for my big hand and long fingers....magazine extentions helped some but I need more meat on the strap for comfort.The wife loves it and handles it with ease so she can have it and I might go with the 111 g2 9mm or stick with my first gen 24/7 pro in 40